Installation

Installation of such GPU AIOs typically begins with the water block itself, and full-cover blocks such as the one on the Alphacool Eiswolf 2 are PCB-specific. Begin with the removal of the stock cooler, which can differ even for those cards with the same PCB, and clean off any remnants of thermal pads and/or paste on the PCB itself. Get familiar with the layout of the PCB and then check the contact surfaces on the cold plate of the GPU block to make sure you know which surfaces are going to transfer heat to the block. Refer to the manual to figure out which thermal pads to use where as it is again dependent on the PCB you have. Then apply the pads and paste, and I usually pre-spread thermal paste for GPUs and carefully place the block over it. Press the two together slightly, and turn the ensemble around over a box with the GPU I/O section hanging off the edge as seen above. Then install the block using screws with the built-in standoffs, beginning with the four around the GPU core and moving outwards. Depending on your GPU, you may have to use a nut to secure an edge screw or two near the I/O section.


If you have a compatible backplate, chances are you may want to use it with the block as well. Stock backplates are supported natively more often than not by GPU block makers, and the only change needed may be different/longer screws. In this case, the non-reference PCB and associated GPU block meant that there were screws for the backplate as well, and the manual covered it, too. Once assembled, you get a dense piece of copper combined with aesthetics galore for function AND form.


The rest of the installation process is quite dependent on your case, but it typically covers installing the radiator to the case with shorter screws, or a radiator/fan combination to the case with longer screws. Decide on how best to orient the fans for optimal airflow, especially if you have other radiators/fans in your build. With that done, if you have no other compatible Alphacool AIO parts, simply thread the QDCs together, connect the cables, and you are good to go for power. If you have an Eisbaer Aurora, for example, use the QDCs of the two together for a longer loop comprising two pumps, two blocks, and two radiators!

Lighting

Here is a look at the digital RGB LEDs in action with the provided multifunction controller, be it static or dynamic. They are neatly hidden when off and result in concentric lighting rings when in motion on the fans, which makes for an impressive light show. The LEDs on the block are less subtle, with directional effects from the bottom shining upwards, and a single color LED for the pump unit lights up in green (for NVIDIA cards) or red (for AMD cards) to backlight the writing there. Compatibility with motherboards through the included adapter cable is also excellent to see here, as it helps with more such products inside the case and beyond.